Dale W. Hardin

Dale was born September 9, 1922 in Peoria, Illinois to James Hardin and Lucille Elgin Hardin. He had a memorable childhood and lovingly recalled his dad taking him by train to Chicago for many Cubs baseball games in the early 1930s. He remained an ardent Cubs fan his entire life. He attended Peoria public schools and Bradley University before going to Washington D.C. and working for the FBI.

When WWII began, he informed Director J. Edgar Hoover that he was volunteering for the Marines. He signed up on November 10, 1942 (the Marine Corps birthday). He served in Central and Southwest Pacific Theatre of War and was honorably discharged in 1946. He was a legal officer, and his last held rank was Second Lieutenant. Dale retained a lifelong love of the United States Marine Corps.

After the war, Dale attended George Washington University receiving his undergraduate degree in 1949 and his J.D. from GW in l951. He practiced a short time with the law firm of Mills & Partridge in Washington D.C. and went on to serve as a Special Agent for the FBI assigned to New York City from 1951 to 1954.

In the ensuing years, he served as Finance Counsel and later, Legislative Counsel for the Interstate Commerce Commission. This involved working with the Legislative, the Executive, and the Judicial Branches of the Federal Government. He served in positions with the Transportation Association of American, United States Chamber of Commerce, and the American Trucking Association.

In 1967 he was appointed by President Lyndon B. Johnson to serve as a Commissioner on the Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC) and was unanimously confirmed by the U.S. Senate. He was reappointed by President Richard Nixon and President Gerald Ford. He also served as Vice-Chairman and Acting Chairman of the Agency. Concurrent with the ICC duties, he was appointed by President Nixon to serve as a member of the Administrative Conference of the United States. Dale was licensed to practice before Supreme Court of Virginia, United States District Courts, and United States Court of Appeals.

He was the author of numerous publications, articles, and decisions during service on the bench at the Interstate Commerce Commission.

Dale retired from public service in 1977 and moved to San Marcos, Texas. He served as Associate Professor at Southwest Texas State University (now Texas State University). He taught law and political science and was instrumental in establishing a Master’s Degree for the Lawyer’s Assistant Program. He served as Director of Graduate Studies, and Acting Dean of Liberal Arts. He even was called upon to serve as Chair of the Home Economics Department realizing that he knew little or nothing about home economics. Not surprisingly, his administrative genius, organizational, analytical, and people skills were so remarkably effective that in no time, he earned the affection and admiration of the faculty members who were mostly women. He retired from Texas State in 2000 as Associate Professor Emeritus.

Dale served on State Bar of Texas Committees, authored articles, and lectured at numerous continuing legal education seminars. He also played a vital role in establishing Legal Specialization Certification for paralegals, a first in the country.

Little known to many, Dale was an amazingly talented musician/trombonist. He won the National Trombone Contest in 1939 with his rendition of Castles in the Air. He also organized and conducted a 17 piece dance band while in the Marines. They played up and down the California coast until the members were shipped out to their respective military assignments.

Dale is survived by his wife, Sandy and his sister Shirley Cann (Tom) of Crownsville, MD. He is also survived by two children; Brad Hardin (Terri), Cedar Park, TX; Rebecca Kuplas, Lantana, FL, and two step-children, Stacy Alexander (Doug), and Scott Keaton of Austin, TX. He is survived by three grandchildren, Ashley Vanderkolk (Travis), Katharine Hardin, and Ryan Nolen. Dale was truly loved and admired by many, and he will be greatly missed.

The family extends heartfelt gratitude to the staff at Silverado Senior Care Center at Onion Creek and to the efficient and highly competent professional staff at St. David’s South for their brief, but tender loving care of Dale. We could not have made it through these final days without Gentiva Hospice who tenderly and spiritually guided the family and made Dale’s last days with us so lovingly comfortable.

Dale’s life will be celebrated at a memorial service that will be held at University Christian Church, 2007 University Avenue, Austin, TX. Dr. Charles Kutz-Marks will perform the service. The memorial service will be held on Saturday, September 20 at 3:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Gentiva Hospice Foundation, 3350 Riverwood Parkway, Ste. 1400, Atlanta GA 30339 or a charity of your choice.

To share condolence with the family go to www.cookwaldenfuneralhome.com.